Ricky Seals-Jones decommits
The five-star recruit from Sealy, Texas, confirmed his decision to back out of his pledge in a text message to HornsNation.
It is believed that this decision could have something to do with his desire to play both football and basketball in college, which LSU and Baylor Bears both have given him the option to do. When reached by phone Tuesday night, Eric Thomas, Seals-Jones’ AAU basketball coach, had no comment on Seals-Jones’ decision.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound receiver ranked No. 7 in the ESPN 150, Seals-Jones originally picked Texas over LSU on Feb. 22.
Prior to his decision to decommit, there were no signs Seals-Jones was wavering in his decision. He joined the rest of the Longhorn’s 2013 recruiting class in attending Texas’ first summer camp on Sunday.
ESPN 150 member and Texas commitment Jake Raulerson was in Austin at the camp with Seals-Jones. He said the versatile receiver, who will play quarterback for Sealy next season, has told him that Texas is still his No. 1 school.
“He said he is just trying to make sure,” Raulerson said. “This is a big decision and he is just trying to make sure.”
Texas four-star quarterback pledge Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas/Whitewright) has perhaps the strongest relationship with Seals-Jones of the Longhorn commits, and he reached out to Seals-Jones on Tuesday evening to offer his support.
“I’m a little surprised,” Swoopes said. “I told him I would respect his decision if he does want to decommit, but it would be good for him if he would stay just because we can do great things at Texas with our recruiting class, and he’s a big part of it.
“He said Texas is still No. 1 but he just wanted to see what other schools had to offer. I told him I respect that.”
With the loss of Seals-Jones, Texas now has 14 verbal commits for its 2013 class, including pledges from receivers Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls) and Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit).
The Longhorns also have offers out to receivers Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest) and Ra’Shaad Samples (Dallas/Skyline).